Washing machine



Dec. 17, 1935. A. w. ALTORFER R 19,787

WASHING MACHINE original Filed July 2. i925 2 sheets-sheet@ AIT?! Dec. 17, 1935. A. w. ALTORFER K WASHING MACHINE original Filed July 2. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original No. Serial No. 18,870, dated June October 5, 1931.

10 Claims.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a washing machine, partly in section, embodying my invention, and

casing or housing in respect of the tub bottom, the manner and means of clamping or securing the bottom of the tub between the bearing portion of the post or casing and gear casing or housing and the arrangement of the drive and supporting connection for the wringer from said gear casing or housing;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the gear casing or housing and shows more in detail the construction of the clamping or securing means for securing the tub bottom, post or casing and gear casing or housing as a unitary structure:

Fig. 3 is a plan view, as the same would appear lii! taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 2; l

Fig. 4 is a cross-section, in elevation, yas the same would appear if taken on line 4-4, Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section, in elevation, as the same would appear if'taken on the line 5 5, Fig. 3, and

tom showing a bracing means and silencer against vibration and also the drain.

' Like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the figures.

The frame of the machine includes a plurality of standards or legs I having casters 2 at their lower ends for ease and convenience in 'moving the machine from place to place, and a series of preferably approximately circular frames 3, lu and 5 superimposed in spaced relation. one above the other. The frames I and 5 are located at or near the bottom and top of the legs or standards, respectively, as shown. and maya be flat bands, whereas the frame 4 is an angular band or apron mediately beneath the tub and the latter Vpreferably rests thereon or has securement thereto. The bottom 1 of this ltub or container is dished or saucer shaped, as shown, its lowermost point tom and held in shows the arrangement and location of the gear Fig. 6 is a detail in section through the tub boty located intermediate the frames 3 and 5 and im- 'tom and in communicationtherewith to act as a PATENT oEFicE WASHING MACHINE Alpheus W. Aitorfer, Peoria, Ill.

1,740,938, dated December 24, 1929.

41,150, July 2, 1925.

.13, 1933, Serial No. 567,083, Application for reissue November 8, 1934, Serial No. 752,107

Reissue No.'

drain and from said couplings drain pipe l2 extends to one side bf the tub and having a regulatingor drain'valve I3.

The washing element i4, arranged to be suitably supported and dperated within the tub or 5 container 6 may be an agitator or dolly of any desired or approved construction. Such agitator or dolly is arranged for clutch connection to the upper end of a shaft passing up through the tub bottom 1 and arranged for operative connection 10 withactuating mechanism located beneath the tub. As-shown, the agitator or dolly may have a detachable connection with the upper end of the shaft l5 by means of a'suitable coupling I6.

The bearing for the shaft i5 within the tub, 15 comprises preferably an upstanding tubular post or casing I1 disposed'through an axial opening I8 in tub bottom and through corresponding openings in the plates secured thereto and therebeneath; the greater portion of said ypost or cas- 20 ing extending up into the tub, to a point preferably above the water line therein and with an extension projecting below the tub, as shown. Said post or casing is further provided with a flanged bearing and clamping member i9 at or near its 25 lower end, between which and the upper inside face of the tub bottom a suitable gasket or packing 20' is inserted, to .form or provide a seal against leakage, such flange and gasket or packing being drawn i'lrmly down and against the tub so bottom, in a manner to be explained.

The gear'casing vor housing, comprises preferably elongated and suitably shaped rather sha1- low superimposed sections 20 and 2l, adapted to be removably attached to each other by bolts 85' and nuts 22. When united and housing the operating gearing, such casing or housing is disposed below and closely adjacent the bottom of the tub and is arranged radially or diametrically thereof from a point centrally of the tub to a 40 point outside the periphery thereof, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The outer or extending portion of the said casing or housing is preferably supported or suspended from the band or apron l, by means of bolts 23,h winch are shown passing 45 throughI spacing sleeves 2l. The upper section 2i of said casing or housing, at a point where it crosses and is coincident with the axis and center of the tub, is formed or provided with an overlying shell or casing 2E having an opening 28 60 therethrough and the head wall 21 thereof, when the gear casing or housing is secured in position, preferably bears against the underside of the plate 9 secured to the undersidenof the tub bot,-

the gear casing or housing is 56 tom.. Also, when secured in assembled and operative'r position below the tub, as shown in Fig. 2, the dolly or agitator shaft I5 preferably passes down through the post or casing I1, and preferably through the upper wall of the section 2| and has bearing in the lower wall of the section 20. Furthermore, the lowermost end of the tubular post or casing I1 extends down, preferably terminating in the overlying shell or casing 25, stopping short of the upper wall of the section 2|, as shown. This shell or casing constitutes a head of materially less diameter than the length of the gear casing and of a length or depth approximating the depth of the gear casing, and is in effect an adapter, of preferably annular or cylindrical-like contour for coupling the gear casing or housing, at the center of the tub, to the lower end portion of the post or casing I1, whereby the bottom of the tub is clamped or secured between and to the post or casing and adapter, to provide a unitary and rigid like assembly between these elements; andthe casing with operating mechanism therewithin, is preferably in the plane of the drive. from the power unit, such as an electric motor. Furthermore, placing the .shallow "gear casing well up under the tub and clamping the casing and tub together, including the shaft casing, jeliminates the possibility of out of alignment of the dolly operating shaft, will prevent binding and stalling of motor and insure easy running and should obviate leakage and attention usually required.

On the extreme lower end of the shaft I5 is slidably connected a pinion 28 arranged to be moved into and out of meshing relation with a segment gear or rack 29 pivotally supported within the gear casing or housing and to and within the section 20 and has connected thereto a pitman bar 30 in pivotal connection with a gear wheel 3I, also joumaled in said gear casing or housing and which is in mesh with a driving pinion 32 on a short vertical shaft 33 journaled in the section 20 of the gear casing or housing and a supplemental housing 34 secured to and suspended below the section 29 of said gear casing or housing. On the lower end of said short shaft 33 is secured a preferably crown gear wheel 35 which meshes an ordinary spur gear wheel 36 on a short transverse shaft 31 to which is secured a pulley wheel 38 adapted to be driven from a suitable source of power and a belt, not shown. The use of a crown gear wheel for the transmission of the power from the driving shaft to the operating shaft I5 will eliminate the ne adjustments ordinarily found necessary in machines of this character and obviates the usual thrust which is noisy and makes possible an easy, smooth and noiseless running machine. To actuate a wringer mechanism, not shown, there may be provided the gear wheel 39 located within the gear casing or housing and in meshing relation with the gear wheel 3I from which it receives its power and said gear wheel 39 adapted to operate a vertically disposed shaft 40 from which power may be transmitted to the usual wringer mechanism, not shown, although its support 4I is shown in Fig. 1.

The shaft 40 is preferably encased in the upstanding sleeve or casing d0', the lower end of which is supported from the exposed end portion of the upper section 2| of the gear casing or housing, which projects out beyond the tub, and its upper end connected with the support 4I. In this` arrangement, a convenient support and drive between the gear casing or housing and gearing therewithin and wringer is provided eliminating the unusually long connection heretofore made rod 43 the pinion may be alternately raised and lowered as shown in dotted and full lines in Fig. 5, so as to disconnect and connect said pinion with segment gear or rack 29. This arrangement, as will be-understood, permits the motor to operate continuously when the machine is in use and yet provides a simple and convenient means for the attendant to connect and disconnect the actuating mechanism of the dolly with the source of power.

and thereby reducing the p When the several parts described are in assembled and in operativel relation, there is carried on the dolly or agitator operative shaft I5 and within the shell or casing 25 a flanged collar 46, preferably below the end of the tubular post or casing I1 which acts as a water shed to divert any casual water which may trickle down the shaft I5 from entering the gear casing or housing, which naturally would be detrimental to any efficient operation of the gearing journaled and operating within said gear casing or housing.

The tub 3, the tubular post or casing I1 and the I gear casing or housing are clamped or4 firmly secured inunitary arrangement, by means of a nut 41 which, as shown in Fig. 2, is screwed onto the lower end of the tubular post or casing I1 and preferably within the adapter shellA or casing 25. When so applied, the nut 41 will draw the bearing flange I 0 of the post or casing I1 andthe head portion 21 of the adapter toward each other, firmly clamping the bottom of the tub therebetween and thereto. Between the nut 41 and the head wall 21 of the adapter 25 is interposed a gasket or washer 48, of suitable material.

'I'he manner of assembling the tub 6, the operating shaft I5, the tubular post or casing I1, the gear casing or housing, and the firmly clamping together of the tub 6, the tubular post or casing I1 and the gear casing or housing constitute one of the novel and essential features of the structure hereinabove described. Assuming that the gear casing or housing is supported or suspended in the manner shown, the tub 6 is dropped into positionbetween the legs or standards so as to rest on the frame 4 in the manner shown and with the plate 9 secured to the bottom of the tub in abutting relation with the head wall 21 of the shell or casing 25 superimposed on the section 2| oi said gear casing or housing. The tubular post or casing I1 is then placed in position with its extreme lower end inserted through the axial opening I9 connected beneath and thereto. The lower end of said tubular post or casing will stop short of the upper wall of the section 2| of the gear casing or housing and within the shell or casing 25, as shown, superimposed thereon. The operating shaft I5 may be conveniently placed at the same in the tub and the plates.

time that the tubular post or casing I1 is posibeing inserted 4. In combination with a washing machine tub and supporting means therefor, the tub having' an opening in its bottom at the axis thereof, a gear casing having substantially parallel top and bottom walls and relatively vnarrow side walls whereby to provide a casing of relatively shallow depth, a head projecting upwardly from the upper face of the top wall of the casing a distance approximating the depth of the casing and forming therewith a housing member and having a top v portion engaged with the under face of the bottom of the tub so as to space the top of the casing a distance below the Vbottom of the tub, said head being of a diameter materially less than the length of the casing and providing a rm seat against which the bottom of the tub abuts, a tubular post extending through the top portion of the housing member for receiving the dolly shaft of the washing machine alined with the opening yin the tub, means associated with the head to rig- 2o idly connect said tubular post to the head and to clamp the tub bottom between the post and the head, and other means connected to the'casing and to the tub and located at points remote from the head and extending across the space between the top of the casing and the bottom of the tub for holding the casingV with its said head in ilrm and rigid engagement with the bottom of the tub.

5. In combination with a washing machine tub and supporting means therefor, the tubhaving an opening in its bottom at the axis thereof, a gear casing having substantially parallel top and bottom walls and relatively narrow side walls whereby to provide a casing of relatively shallow depth, a head projecting upwardly from the upper face oi the top wall a distance approximating the depth of the casing and forming therewith a housing member and having a top portion engaged with the under face of the bottom of the tub so d as to space the top of the casing a distance below the bottom of the tub, saidV head being of a diameter materially less than the length of the casing and providing a firm seat against which -the bottom of the tub abuts, al tubular post for g5 receiving the dolly shaft of the washing machine alined with the opening in the tub and extending through the top portion of the head, said tubular post having an outwardly projecting portion which seats against the bottom of the tub and 50 unitary means in said housing member -vfor simultaneously securing said projecting portion oi the tubular post to the bottom of the tub and also the head to the bottom of the tub with the said bottom of the tub located between said pro- 65 jecting portion of the tubular post and the head.

6. In a washing machine in combination, a frame including standards and connecting an- Y- nular rings, a tub adapted to rest on one o f said rings. a gear casing supported by and suspended 60 from the latter of said rings, a constantly driven wringer shaft having a portion located within said casing. a driving shaft, geared connectlqn between said driving shaft and wringer shaft,` a

a slidable relation thereon. However, before, orl at the same time that the tubular' post or casing I1 and the operating shaft I5 are placed in position, the nut 41 and the flanged `"collar 46 are inserted through the opening 25 into and within the v shell or casing 25 to be in axial alignment with said shaft and said tubular post or casing so that the hanged collar 46 may have a snug nt on said shaft and embrace or surround the opening in the upper wall of the section 2I ofthe gear casing or housing in which said shaft has a bearing, as best seen in Fig. 2 and with the nut 41 in position to b screwed on to the lower threaded end of the tubular post or casing I1. It has` already been explained that between the nut 41 and the head wall 21 of the shell or casing 25, a suitable gasket br washer is placed and a suitable gasket or washer placed between the ange I9 on the tubular post or casing I1 and the bottom wall of the tub. This structure seals the connection with the tub at this point against leakage and the nut 41, when screwed into position firmly clamps the tubular post or casing I1, the tub 6 and the gear casing or housing securely together. While the upper end of the tubular post or casing I1 is normally above the water line of the tub, should any water work itself down from the top of the operating shaft I5 and through the tubular post or casing I1, it will be diverted at the lower end of said tubular post or casing I1 over the ilanged collar 46 on to the top of the gear casing or housing and be prevented from entering such gear casing or housing around said operating shaft I5 where` it has a bearing ln the upper wall of the section "2I of said gear casing or housing. This condition is not likely to exist but as a safeguard I have provided this water shed in thesform of the flanged collar-46.

As will be apparent, power the shaft 31 through the pinion 35 and crown gear 35 to the gear wheel 3|V which will impart reciprocal movement to the pitman bar 30 and oscillate the rack or segment gear 29 and alternately rotate the dolly shaft I5 in opposite directions, when the pinion 28 is in mesh with said rack. The pinion is arranged to be manually raised and lowered out of and into engagement with said rack, through and by means of the operators level 42.

What I claim is:

1. In a washing machine, in combination, a frame including standards and connecting annular rings, a gear casing supported by and suspended from one of said rings, a tub adapted to rest on said last mentioned ring, a tubular post extending through the bottom of-said tub, and a nut adapted to engage the lower end of said post to clamp the post and tub and casing together. 2. In a washing machine, in combination, a frame including standards and connecting annular rings, a gear casing supported by and suspended from one of said rings, a tub adapted to rest on said last mentioned ring, a tubular post extending through the bottom of said tub, a dolly.

is transmitted from shaft journaled in said post and casing, a nut adapted tov engage the lower end of said post to clamp the post and tub and casing together, and

Aa flanged collar on said shaft below the lower end of sind post adapted to act as a. water shea.

3.( In a washing machine, a-tub having a saucer and a vibration silencer lfor said bottom to prevent rumbling comprising a vibration silencing material bottom of said tub and a plate lying next adjacent to and below said material.

lying next adjacent the vertical oscillating agitator through the bottom of the tub and having a por.. tion within the housing, means connecting the wringer and agitator lshafts to oscillate the agitator shaft, a tubular post extending through the bottom of said tub and surrounding the vertical agitator shaft and means for clamping the lower` end of the` tubular post, the tub and the. gear casing together.

'1. In a washing machine in combination, a Y

shaft projecting 05 trame including standards connecting an- '(5 nular rings,

a gear casing supported by one of said rings, a tub adapted to rest on the last mentioned ring, said gear casing having a portion lying in contact with the bottom Wall of the tub, a tubular post extending through the bottom of the tub and into the casing, said tube carrying means to attach the tub and casing together.

8. A washing machine having in combination, a frame including standards and connecting annular rings, a gear casing supported by one of the rings, a tub adapted to rest upon the last mentioned ring, said casing having a faced por.- tion lying in contact with the central portion of the bottom Wall of the tub, and a portion extending beyond the cuter periphery of the'tub, a rst tubular post extending through the bottom of the tub and into said casing, a second tubular post disposed outside the tub having one end connected with said portion of the casing extending beyond the tub and the oppositel end connected with one oi' said annular rings and means for attaching said rst tubular post to the casing and bottom Wall of the tub.

9. A washing machine having in combination, a trame including standards and connecting rings, a gear casing supported by one of the rings, a tub adapted to rest upon the last mennular rings, a gear casing comprising a complete tioned ring, said casing having a portion lying below the central portion of the tub and extending to a point beyond the outer periphery ot the tub, a first tubular post extending through the bottom of the tub and into the casing, means on the post for attaching the post and the bottom wall of the tub to the casing, a vertical agitator shaft disposed in the tubular post and extending into the casing to a point below the lower end of said tube, and a second tubular member attached to said portion of the casing extending beyond the periphery of the tub.

10. In a washing machine, in combination, a frame including standards and connecting anuntary cover structure capable of completely enclosing the operating gear of a washing machine, said casing being bodily supported from one of said rings, a tub adapted to rest upon the last mentioned ring, a hole in the bottom of the tub, a tubular post dispcsed iril the tub, an opening in said casing in register with said hole in the tub, said post extending through said hole and opening into said casing and means on the post for supporting the post in the casing and holding a -portion of the post in water tight pressure contact with the bottom wall of the tub.

/ ALPHEUS W. ALTORFER. 

